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Garmin unveils Fenix 8 Pro with MicroLED and AMOLED options

12 points by bundie 1y ago

AshamedCaptain 1y ago
Disappointment, as they're dropping the plain LCD options (30+ battery life and ridiculously high visibility on daylight) all while doubling the price. They can keep it for themselves...
plqbfbv 1y ago
I was in the market for a new running watch recently, and was kinda disappointed no LTE options existed. I'm very happy we're finally getting there, although pushing LTE down to the lower tier will take a while (I'm never going to buy a >1200$ smartwatch). LTE support will kill battery life if online full day without doubt, but if Garmin plays it smart by limiting it to activity (with per-activity settings, e.g. a run may need an update every 3m, a trek maybe every 15m), sending periodic pings if out of BLE/Wifi range, and activating it only on user request for features, I could very happily live with 8 days of battery life (instead of 11) and LiveTrack support while I'm running, at least I don't need to carry >150g phone on my arm for 1h anymore.
- mikestew 1y ago
  I had a 945LTE, and if I was out in the mountains where it couldn’t find a cell tower, it would burn the battery trying (the actual repro is a bit more complicated). Hopefully they manage the radio better in the Fenix version, or say hello to Apple Watch battery life.
SilverElfin 1y ago
Seems like the main difference is actually not needing your phone for connectivity. It’ll hurt battery life. Good for emergencies but I doubt Garmin’s software can compete with Apple.
- deleted 1y ago
  [deleted]
- Loic 1y ago
  Even my kids (full in the Apple ecosystem) are using Garmin watches because for sport, it looks like they are one level better than Apple. Especially the battery as they are often 48/72h without access to power.
- izacus 1y ago
  The battery life is still humiliating Apple. The watch lasts 5-10 dats.
- throwaway173738 1y ago
  In Reach is basically 911 but in the backcountry. I don’t see how Apple can compete with that. Being able to contact emergency services without running back to a trailhead and driving to civilization is really powerful as an extra measure of safety.
  - mikestew 1y ago
    Apple already competes with satellite comms on the latest phones (well, anything after the 13?). It’s not as hands-off as InReach, but the job gets done. Rumors say the new AW Ultra will have satellite comms. On top of that, T-Mobile has sat->cell now even for my iPhone 13. I tried the beta, it gets the job done and pretty seamlessly. It’s a monthly extra, so I’ll keep the InReach for now, but it’s time is limited.
- foxyv 1y ago
  To be honest, the Apple watch isn't even in the same class as this watch. This is the kind of watch that people who are going to be traveling into the deep wilderness will wear instead of three other gadgets. It has a maximum battery life of 8 days, depth gauge, altimiter, barometer and a satellite communications module. Edit: This would make a great watch for sailors to supplement an EPIRB.
  - 1y ago
bobmcnamara 1y ago
Manufacturer announcement: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/newsroom/press-release/wearables-health/introducing-fenix-8-pro-the-first-ever-smartwatches-from-garmin-with-inreach-technology-for-satellite-and-cellular-connectivity/ https://www.garmin.com/en-US/newsroom/press-release/wearable...

12 points by bundie 1y ago

Disappointment, as they're dropping the plain LCD options (30+ battery life and ridiculously high visibility on daylight) all while doubling the price. They can keep it for themselves...

plqbfbv 1y ago

I was in the market for a new running watch recently, and was kinda disappointed no LTE options existed. I'm very happy we're finally getting there, although pushing LTE down to the lower tier will take a while (I'm never going to buy a >1200$ smartwatch). LTE support will kill battery life if online full day without doubt, but if Garmin plays it smart by limiting it to activity (with per-activity settings, e.g. a run may need an update every 3m, a trek maybe every 15m), sending periodic pings if out of BLE/Wifi range, and activating it only on user request for features, I could very happily live with 8 days of battery life (instead of 11) and LiveTrack support while I'm running, at least I don't need to carry >150g phone on my arm for 1h anymore.

mikestew 1y ago
I had a 945LTE, and if I was out in the mountains where it couldn’t find a cell tower, it would burn the battery trying (the actual repro is a bit more complicated). Hopefully they manage the radio better in the Fenix version, or say hello to Apple Watch battery life.

SilverElfin 1y ago

Seems like the main difference is actually not needing your phone for connectivity. It’ll hurt battery life. Good for emergencies but I doubt Garmin’s software can compete with Apple.

deleted 1y ago
[deleted]
Loic 1y ago
Even my kids (full in the Apple ecosystem) are using Garmin watches because for sport, it looks like they are one level better than Apple. Especially the battery as they are often 48/72h without access to power.
izacus 1y ago
The battery life is still humiliating Apple. The watch lasts 5-10 dats.
throwaway173738 1y ago
In Reach is basically 911 but in the backcountry. I don’t see how Apple can compete with that. Being able to contact emergency services without running back to a trailhead and driving to civilization is really powerful as an extra measure of safety.
- mikestew 1y ago
  Apple already competes with satellite comms on the latest phones (well, anything after the 13?). It’s not as hands-off as InReach, but the job gets done. Rumors say the new AW Ultra will have satellite comms. On top of that, T-Mobile has sat->cell now even for my iPhone 13. I tried the beta, it gets the job done and pretty seamlessly. It’s a monthly extra, so I’ll keep the InReach for now, but it’s time is limited.
foxyv 1y ago
To be honest, the Apple watch isn't even in the same class as this watch. This is the kind of watch that people who are going to be traveling into the deep wilderness will wear instead of three other gadgets. It has a maximum battery life of 8 days, depth gauge, altimiter, barometer and a satellite communications module. Edit: This would make a great watch for sailors to supplement an EPIRB.
- 1y ago

bobmcnamara 1y ago

Manufacturer announcement: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/newsroom/press-release/wearables-health/introducing-fenix-8-pro-the-first-ever-smartwatches-from-garmin-with-inreach-technology-for-satellite-and-cellular-connectivity/ https://www.garmin.com/en-US/newsroom/press-release/wearable...